Yahoo News Should drivers over 70 take an eye test every three years? Have your say
One survey found six in 10 optometrists had spoken to a patient in the past month who continued to drive despite their eyesight being below the legal standard.
Yahoo UK's poll of the week lets you vote and indicate your strength of feeling on one of the week's hot topics. After the poll closes, we'll publish and analyse the results each Friday, giving readers the chance to see how polarising a topic has become and if their view chimes with other Yahoo UK readers.
Calls are being made for stricter eyesight requirements for driving licences, including mandatory eye tests for older drivers.
The head of the UK's Association of Optometrists, Adam Sampson, has said over-70s should have to report their eyesight to authorities every three years to reduce the risk of accidents.
“That’s just because that’s the age when people’s eyesight commonly starts to deteriorate markedly,” he told the Telegraph. “Then you’ve got to do it every three years. All you’d have to do is pop along to your opticians, get a sight test and get a certificate and bung it off to the DVLA."
Sampson argued over-70s would be entitled to free eyesight tests, and that they should be getting their eyes tested every couple of years anyway.
Describing the current rules as "bizarre", he said: "People can be in charge of very dangerous pieces of machinery on our public roads without any type of certification that they are physically able to control them."
His comments come after a survey by the Association of Optometrists found that six in 10 optometrists had spoken to a patient in the past month who continued to drive despite their eyesight being below the legal standard, with two-thirds of those asked believing current laws are "dangerously out of date".
A separate poll of members of the public found 83% support a change in the law requiring eyesight tests when drivers renew their licences.
What are the current rules on eyesight and driving?
Current rules require driving test candidates to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres to prove their eyesight is good enough to drive safely, as per the 1937 Road Traffic Act.
Once they've passed their test, all they have to do is self-certify that they are medically fit to be on the road.
Asked by Yahoo News if it is considering changing the law, the Department for Transport said: “Every death on our roads is a tragedy, and our thoughts remain with the families of everyone who has lost a loved one in this way.
“The NHS recommends adults should have their eyes tested every two years, and while we do not have plans to change eyesight requirements for driving, we continue to explore ways to improve road safety.”
But what do you think? Is it time for a change in the law? Let us know in the two polls below.
THIS POLL HAS NOW CLOSED
Come back on Friday to read the results and analysis via the link below.
Read more of Yahoo UK's Poll of the Week articles
